Toyohara Kunichika "Tattooed Edo Actors"

A spectacular, rare, and highly sought after triptych showing three tattooed kabuki actors. Each actor, armed with swords, express the individual personalities of the characters they are portraying and are adorned with intricate tattoos. The tattoos on the right shows a pearl diver being attacked by an octopus and various sea creatures, a motif commonly shown in woodblock prints from the Edo and Meiji-periods.

Date: 1865
Format: Oban Triptych (each sheet approx. 9" x 14")
Condition: Light soiling, binding holes, otherwise fine color and impression
Framing available for local pickup only. Please contact us for details and pricing.

Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900) was a prolific woodblock print artist whose works portraying kabuki plays and actors are noted for their use of rich, deep colors.